Many individuals that are behind on their debt, are often dealing with harassing creditors. The further an individual allows their accounts to go into delinquent status, the more likely it is that a creditor will sell their debt to a collection agency. Generally, when a person’s original creditor sells their debt to a collection agency, they will sell the delinquent account for pennies on the dollar. These collection agencies will pursue a lawsuit against the individual for the debt they owe if the individual refuses to pay their balance. When this happens, the individual runs the risk of having their wages garnished. Below we will discuss what a garnishment is, how a creditor can obtain one, and how bankruptcy impacts a wage garnishment.
What is a Wage Garnishment?
A wage garnishment is a notice issued by the court that tells an employer to withhold a certain amount of money from an individual’s paycheck each week. The money withheld is then sent directly to the creditor they owe until their debt is paid off.
Who Can Garnish Wages?
Generally, judgment creditors can garnish wages. This means regular creditors cannot garnish an individual’s pay without first obtaining a money judgment. Thus, individuals who fall behind on their bills do not have to worry about a creditor getting a garnishment against them until the creditor starts a lawsuit against them.
How a Wage Garnishment Begins
To obtain a wage garnishment, creditors will first need to obtain a judgment against an individual. When a creditor gets a judgment against a person, they become a judgment creditor. To obtain a money judgment, the creditor will first pursue a lawsuit against the individual for the debt they owe. If an individual fails to answer a lawsuit or appear in court, the court will issue a default judgment. A default judgment is entered when the person being sued loses their case because they failed to “appear in court.” Further, if an individual answers a lawsuit but loses their case, the court will issue a judgment against the individual. Once a judgment is entered, it means the other party won and the individual will be liable to pay the creditor the money they asked for in their lawsuit.
Some creditors may garnish a person’s wages without first obtaining a money judgment. This happens when an individual owes child support, back taxes, or student loans. People who fall behind on these types of debts should be on the lookout for letters notifying them that their wages will be garnished. Although these types of creditors do not have to get a money judgment to garnish a person’s wages, they must give them notice and time to object to the garnishment.
Once a judgment is entered, the creditor will take the judgment notice and serve it on the Marshall or Sheriff’s office in the county the individual lives. The notice will also be sent to the individual’s employer to notify them of the garnishment so they can begin deducting the money from the individual’s paycheck each week. The garnishment ends once the individual has paid back the entire judgment in full. Sometimes, an individual may be able to negotiate a settlement with the creditor for a lesser amount. Creditors may be willing to accept less if they are getting paid faster.
Individuals who have a wage garnishment entered against them may be able to protest the wage garnishment but must act quickly. Generally, the court will allow an individual to protest the amount of a wage garnishment if they can show evidence, they cannot meet their daily living expenses once the wage garnishment goes into effect. Low wage earners are typically able to show proof of this.
In some cases, an individual can be exempt from a wage garnishment. Each state has its own laws that allow certain people to be exempt from having their wages garnished. Generally, these types of wages cannot be garnished:
To file a wage garnishment exemption, the individual will need to file a document with the court. Individuals can typically find a form on their court’s website that will guide them on how to file a wage garnishment exemption. Typically, they will be asked to provide the court with an explanation as to why they believe they should be exempt from the wage garnishment. Further, individuals will need to include any documentation showing proof of such. Most courts will likely issue a hearing on the matter which the individual will be required to attend. If the judge agrees in favor of the individual, they may enter an order to stop the garnishment or lower the amount of the garnishment.
How Much Can a Creditor Garnish
Individuals who are already struggling to pay their debts can find a wage garnishment financially straining. Federal law limits the amount a creditor can garnish a person’s wages. The amount that can be garnished is capped at 15% of a person’s disposable income or the amount by which the individual’s weekly salary exceeds 30 times the minimum wage, whichever is lower. Some states provide lower percentages that a creditor can garnish. However, no state law can allow creditors to take more than what is allowed under federal law.
Can an Employer Fire a Person Because of their Wage Garnishment?
Many individuals who receive a wage garnishment are often embarrassed that their employers are notified. Most employers will not care that the individual’s wages are being garnished.
Individuals wondering if their employer can fire them or retaliate against them because of their garnishment should not worry. Federal law prevents employers from being able to take these types of actions against a person who has a wage garnishment. However, one exception to this is if a creditor sues an individual for more than one debt or two creditors initiate a garnishment, under these circumstances, there is no protection for retaliation under Federal law.
Stopping a Wage Garnishment by Filing Bankruptcy
Individuals who are struggling to pay their debt and facing wage garnishment can consider bankruptcy as a form of debt relief. One of the most powerful tools of bankruptcy is the Automatic Stay. As soon as an individual files bankruptcy an Automatic Stay is initiated which prevents creditors from garnishing an individual’s pay. The Automatic Stay, in turn, prevents the wage garnishment from continuing once the bankruptcy petition is filed.
Filing bankruptcy can be a useful tool for individuals struggling to pay their bills and make ends meet. Under Chapter 7 bankruptcy, individuals can discharge their debt relieving them of any responsibility to repay their creditors.
Conclusion
Individuals who are facing a wage garnishment need to act quickly. Individuals should consider speaking with an attorney to determine what their best course of action should be. Most people will need to either pay back their debt in full, settle the account, or file bankruptcy. Individuals should speak with a professional as soon as possible so they do not give up their rights to object to the garnishment. Individuals who have not received a garnishment notice but have recently been served with a lawsuit also need to take proper steps necessary to answer the lawsuit. Individuals who fail to answer a lawsuit run the risk of having their wages garnished which can make things much more complicated.
